April 18, 2008

GREELEY, Colorado - Utah Valley mounted a big ninth inning comeback to force extra innings but Air Force still prevailed, 8-7, in 10 innings on Friday. The Wolverines (7-25-1) scored five runs in the ninth after trailing 7-2 but the Falcons (12-22) scored the winning run in the bottom of the 10th in a game played on Northern Colorado's field in Greeley, Colorado.

Kai Hatch and Scott Croshaw reached on consecutive bunt singles in the ninth. After a fly-out to center by Adam Openshaw, Aaron Brady doubled to right center to score Hatch. Kevin Arensde then reached on an infield single, driving in Croshaw and sending Brady to third.

After Jake Rickenbach walked to load the bases, Cole Anderson doubled to right-center, scoring Brady and Arendse but Rickenbach was cut down at the plate trying to score the tying run though for the second out. Ryan Jones then delivered the game tying single on a blooper into center to score Anderson and sending the game into extra innings.

The big rally went for naught though as Daniel Walker and Chay Derbigny hit back-to-back doubles to give Air Force a walk-off, 10th inning win.

Bryan Smith (0-4) took the loss but pitched six and 2/3 strong innings in relief for the Wolverines. Michael Ruvolo (4-3) blew a chance at a save in the ninth but picked up the win for the Falcons.

Anderson and Jones had three hits each while Hatch, Openshaw and Arendse all had two hits. Anderson and Arendse both drove in two runs apiece.

One of Arendse's runs batted in came when he hit his first career home run in the second to give UV an early 1-0 lead.

Air Force answered with two in the bottom of the inning and four more in the third on the strength of back-to-back home runs by Walker and Derbigny. Walker and Ben Ausbun both had three hits to lead the AFA.

The two teams will meet again tomorrow at 10am MT with Utah Valley also facing host Northern Colorado on Saturday at 2pm MT.